While you are at Yale, you will be expected to abide by University policies, including the policies of your school, as well as local, state, and federal laws. Familiarize yourself with these policies, as well as the student code of conduct in your school, to avoid academic, and potentially legal, repercussions. Even innocent violations could have serious consequences for your immigration status.
Selected Rules & Policies
Yale, like other educational institutions in the United States, has a strict zero-tolerance policy for infractions in the academic honesty code. Cheating or plagiarism of any sort is never tolerated. Cheating is when you have someone else write your papers, or take-home exams, or you get answers from others during exams.
Universities operate on the honor system, which makes trust a fundamental element of a U.S. education. Take-home exams provide a good example of this. For some international students, it may seem quite strange that a professor would give her students an exam to take home, complete and return to class at a later time. But that is exactly what it is – an exam that you will, on your honor, complete at home. It is expected that your answers will reflect your understanding and work, and yours alone. A take-home exam is not to be shared with, or borrowed from another student, and is considered as being at the same level of seriousness as an in-class exam. Remember too that aiding dishonesty by supplying answers for an exam is considered just as serious as obtaining them.
Plagiarism is the use of another’s work, words, or ideas without attribution. The word “plagiarism” comes from the Latin word for “kidnapper” and is considered a form of theft, a breach of honesty in the academic community. Plagiarizers suffer serious consequences including suspension or expulsion from school.
Like freedom of speech, academic honesty holds a special place in a community devoted to the creation, preservation, and dissemination of knowledge. For this reason, it is important for you to learn how to acknowledge the contributions of others in your own work and to document properly your reliance on their thinking.
You can learn more about the conventions of using sources by referring to the Yale College Writing Center. If ever you have doubts about when or how to cite, ask the course instructor, your writing tutor, or your residential college dean.
Yale University is committed to the conduct of research and research training activities in a scientifically responsible and ethical manner. The Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training is a part of funding requirements for both the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundations (NSF). See this website for additional information on who must complete RCR required training.
Refer to the Template Language for Proposal Submissions for assistance in understanding the requirements and elements of RCR education and developing a RCR educational plan.
Sexual misconduct incorporates a range of behaviors including sexual assault, harassment, intimate partner violence, stalking, voyeurism, and any other conduct of a sexual nature that is nonconsensual, or has the purpose or effect of threatening, intimidating, or coercing a person. For more details, including definitions, university policies and resources, please visit this page. Yale strives to be a community free of sexual misconduct, by promoting the essential values of respect and responsibility, providing education, and working with students, faculty, and staff to create a community that is safe and supportive for all. Yale takes all complaints and accusations of sexual misconduct seriously. More information on sexual misconduct resources.
Sexual Consent
Consent can only be accurately gauged through direct communication about the decision to engage in sexual activity. Presumptions based upon contextual factors (such as clothing, alcohol consumption, or dancing) are unwarranted, and should not be considered as evidence for consent. Although consent does not need to be verbal, verbal communication is the most reliable form of asking for and gauging consent. Talking with sexual partners about desires and limits may seem awkward, but serves as the basis for positive sexual experiences shaped by mutual willingness and respect. (Excerpted from Guidance Regarding Sexual Consent.)
Sexual Harassment and Assault Response & Education (SHARE)
SHARE is available to members of the Yale community who are dealing with sexual misconduct of any kind. SHARE responders are Yale University mental health professionals. All calls to SHARE are confidential, and can be anonymous if you wish. SHARE will offer information and support, and sometimes recommendations, but won't tell you what to do — their goal is to help you make your own informed, empowered decisions. You can call SHARE at any time of night or day, any day of the year: (203) 432-2000.
In the case of violent domestic disputes, call 911 immediately. Any physical assault, including by your spouse or partner, is a crime. Non-consensual intercourse (even in a married couple) is considered rape. These types of crimes are customarily handled by the police, not by others - not even family or close friends.
